Honey

by John Berry

22 August 2011

Whilst representing Ellel Ministries on an exhibition stand at a large Bible Week in the UK, I was struck by the attention that was given to the stand next to us. Every day many people were drawn to it and often there was no space for the stallholders, who had to stand outside the area in order to receive their payment.

What could this stall be offering you may ask? Well the clue is that the customers were generally pre-adult, and the goods on sale consisted largely of sugar! In other words it was the sweet stall. Like bees round a honey pot the children and teenagers descended on it at every opportunity.

The word of God is said to be sweeter than honey, and should therefore have the same effect of drawing people to it. On our stand there were many books and CDs, all containing large amounts of God’s ‘honey’, yet Christians, who would sit in the meetings and listen to Bible teaching for hours, passed by our stand and even avoided looking at us. Why was this?

Of course we could look at our marketing technique, sales patter, style of dress or the presentation of the stand, but I think that the issue is more that facing the needs of the human spirit takes effort, and the admission of a need there. Buying sweets is easy – whether or not there is a need, you just pay your money and chew! Listening to stirring speakers is entertaining and uplifting, but doesn’t necessarily require personal engagement. Taking the steps to look at a book or CD, study its content and then even to make it one’s own by purchasing it is a big thing.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that many find it hard to address the issues of spirit, soul and body. The Word of God would be so sweet to the lost, broken and damaged, but the recognition of its benefit is often veiled from them, even though they need it. Let’s keep praying for God to open their eyes so that many more people will admit their inner condition and be as ready to search for the truth, as the children are to buy their sweets.

Prayer: Thank You, dear Lord, for the free access you give us to Your Word, which brings us so much life and sweetness. Please show us how we can help others to search Your truth and take hold of the goodness stored there. Amen.

John Berry entered the Baptist Ministry more than 40 years ago, and joined the Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor in 2007 with his wife Jennie. They have both now retired from the team but remain as part of the Teaching and Associate Ministry Teams at Glyndley. John and Jennie have seven Grandchildren.

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